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PlayerDB vs Scryfall

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

APIPlayerDBNEW—ScryfallNEW—
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d—%—%
Uptime · 30d—%—%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
Authnonenone
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedCard data free to use; MTG content © Wizards of the Coast (see docs)
Free tierFree, no API keyFree, no API key required
Rate limitUnpublished~10 requests/second; docs ask for 50-100 ms between requests
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

PlayerDB vs Scryfall: common questions

Which is more reliable, PlayerDB or Scryfall?

On our scheduled checks, Scryfall leads on measured uptime — PlayerDB at —% versus Scryfall at —% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.

Do PlayerDB and Scryfall need an API key?

Neither needs a paid key — PlayerDB is callable with no signup, and Scryfall is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.

Can I call PlayerDB and Scryfall from the browser?

Yes — both PlayerDB and Scryfall send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.

Are PlayerDB and Scryfall free for commercial use?

PlayerDB has unclear commercial terms, and Scryfall has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.